RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, March 30: An environment conservation society, SwitchON Foundation, in its study in Jharkhand expressed its concern over depleting water level in the state suggesting ways to check it.
According to its study, about 80% of surface water and 74% of ground water in Jharkhand go outside the state and cause 38% of the drought due to geographical set up. In its study, the society observed that in the pre monsoon season of 2021, the lowest water table level found was in Hazaribagh district found below 0.03 meters, and the deepest water table level was found at 9.7 meters in Koderma district. In 2022, the monsoon rainfall received was in deficit by more than 60%, and about 90% of reservoirs were only 40% full.
Its study suggests that in Jharkhand, where groundwater is found under semi-confined to confined aquifers in the fractures situated at a deeper level, the groundwater level of the state had declined by two meters in the pre-monsoon season of 2022.
The society, in its study, observed that since the introduction of tube wells, the groundwater levels in the state have declined over the last two decades. In Bokaro, Giridih, Godda, Gumla, Palamu, Ranchi, fluoride concentration in groundwater has gone beyond permissible limit due to deep hole boring and in most of the regions of the districts West Singhbhum, Ranchi and Saraikela, the groundwater is declining as revealed by a study of depth to groundwater level (DGWL) conducted over the period.
Jharkhand, the study suggests, has several freshwater resources in the form of ponds and streams apart from having 15 major rivers, the Damodar, Mayurakshi, Barakar, Koyal, Sankh, Son, Auranga, More, Karo, Bansloi, South Koel, Kharkai, Swarna Rekha, Ganga, Gumani, and Batane but unfortunately, most of them have now fully or partially dried up.
The study suggests that around 30% of the population has only partial access to drinking water due to contamination with fluoride, arsenic, nitrate and iron. In some of the districts, the drinking water sources are highly contaminated with fluoride >1.5mg/litre.
On the basis of its studies the organization has recommended baseline study of all active groundwater sources, suggesting relevant policy recommendations and conservation of traditional wetland to be protected for effective ground water recharge.
The society suggests desiltation of surface water bodies like streams, rivers and canals for better percolation and recharge of aquifers during monsoons, rejuvenation of dried up or deteriorated traditional water storage units like ponds, tanks etc and construction of artificial recharge structures based on a research of aquifer characteristics and land use surveys.
The society on the basis of its studies recommend massive awareness programmes for promoting sustainable use of water, avoiding water wastages in agriculture and domestic sectors, Integrated approach for water conservation and assessing the existing policies, Acts and schemes related to water conservation for their effectiveness.
SwitchON Foundation is an award winning not for profit organization. Since 2008, it claims to have led many innovative projects and incubated a number of highly successful ventures and initiatives in the areas of renewable energy access, agriculture & livelihoods, skilling & education and environment and climate change. In the past 15 years it claims to have positively impacted more than 10,00,000 lives of people in these regions and reached out to more than 5000 villages in the Eastern, Western and North Eastern parts of India.
